Why is Emerge and its work so important? As executive director Ruth Hardy says:

“As the number of elected Democratic women remains flat or even declines, the need for our work is growing. In the 226 years since its statehood, Vermont has never elected a woman to the U.S. House of Representatives or to the U.S. Senate, and only one woman has served as Governor of Vermont. Only 11 women have ever been elected to statewide office in the history of the state. Of 180 State Legislators, only 41% are women, and of the over 1,000 Local Selectboard Members, only 21% are women.

“A pool of highly qualified Democratic candidates is being left untapped. Too often, women do not see themselves running for office—they assume they aren’t experienced enough to serve in office or they don’t know where to begin. Emerge Vermont helps women gain confidence, practices skills, organize their campaigns, and be a part of a powerful network of Democratic women and their supporters.”